1. JOE MAGUIRE (TRILLICK)
One of many players in the St Macartan’s squad who has worked hard to improve his game this year, Maguire has matured into one of the top 'keepers in the county. His talents as a shot-stopper were showcased when he pulled off four blinding saves in the closing stages of the semi-final win over Coalisland. Safe under the high ball, accurate with his clearances and kick-outs, he was an integral part of an O’Neill Cup-winning campaign, keeping a clean sheet in the final.
2. SEÁN O’NEILL (DROMORE)
The former Tyrone defender rediscovered his best form this season and, as captain of St Dympna’s, inspired his side to a quarter-final win over defending champions and beaten Ulster finalists Omagh. With Dromore reduced to 13 men in the semi-final, he was the man who led their heroic fightback, with a driving display from centre-back, and it was no fault of his that they fell just short against Killyclogher at Healy Park.
3. RUAIRÍ KELLY (TRILLICK)
The 21-year-old showed maturity beyond his years, with a string of brilliant displays during a triumphant run to the O’Neill Cup title. A trusted man-marker, he nullified the effectiveness of several highly-rated opponents and picked his moments to push forward with incisive runs into opposition territory, proving an effective link between defence and attack. Another accomplished performance in the county final made a big contribution to Trillick’s first title in 29 years.
4. DANNY GORMAN (KILLYCLOGHER)
The former Tyrone minor captain has been a rock at the heart of a solid Killyclogher defence this season, turning in a string of impressive displays at full-back. Defensive solidity has been one of the team’s main strengths and the reliable Gorman inspired confidence among his colleagues in every game. He held Trillick’s ace attacker Lee Brennan to a single score from play in the championship final, when his side lost out by a single point.
5. NIALL DONNELLY (TRILLICK)
The sort of player any successful team must have, Donnelly was a dynamic defender and a prolific ball-winner in his side’s remarkable run to the county title. A man with boundless energy and an insatiable appetite for responsibility and hard work, his effectiveness at mopping up broken ball cannot be understated. A tigerish tackler, he was responsible for countless turnovers during a memorable campaign, which also saw him make regular bursts forward at pace in support of the attack.
6. RORY BRENNAN (TRILLICK)
A county championship title capped a memorable year, which saw him win an All-Ireland U21 title and earn a call-up to the Tyrone senior side. Brennan is now recognised as one of the top defenders in Tyrone. An assured presence at the heart of the Trillick defence, his athleticism adds an invaluable extra to the game-plan through his piercing runs into opposition territory. It was one of these surges that created the goal that effectively secured a seventh SFC title for the club.
7. DERMOT CARLIN (KILLYCLOGHER)
A born leader who has been a key member of Killyclogher teams for a decade and-a-half, his commitment has never waned and his infectious enthusiasm rubbed off on his team-mates throughout this year’s campaign. Combining defensive astuteness with ball-playing ability, he marshalled the St Mary’s rearguard with authority. The club benefitted from his decision earlier this year to retire from inter-county football and devote all his energies to their challenge for an SFC title.
8. RICHARD DONNELLY (TRILLICK)
A lynchpin for Trillick in the middle-third this season, Donnelly carried consistency from the early days of the league campaign right through a glorious championship run. Winning a deserved call-up to the Tyrone senior squad along the way, his ball-winning, strong running and distribution have been features of his side’s compelling displays. An appetite for hard work is another key element in his game, much of it unrecognised, as he tracks back to provide cover in times of defensive need.
9. CONALL McCANN (KILLYCLOGHER)
High-scoring midfielder McCann finished second in the championship top-scorer chart this season, hitting 1-11 in four games. But his accuracy from frees and play tells just part of the story of a valuable team player. Combining high fielding with a mobile, strong-running game, he was a key figure in Killyclogher’s march to a first championship final since 2003. Adept at tracking back and breaking at pace, his energy helped St Mary’s tick in 2015.
10. TIERNÁN McCANN (KILLYCLOGHER)
McCann’s role with Tyrone has been mirrored by his brief with Killyclogher this season. A deep-lying half-forward with a responsibility as a sweeper, combined with a licence to attack, his effervescent style has been entertaining and effective. The pace with which he surges forward has caught many defences on the hop and created the openings for several crucial scores. A telepathic understanding with younger brother Conall has provided many eye-catching offensive moments.
11. MATTIE DONNELLY (TRILLICK)
The first Trillick captain to lift the O’Neill Cup since his father Liam in 1986, Mattie has led by example, and with authority. His influence round the middle third has been immense, particularly at times when momentum needed to be lifted. Always at the centre of the action, his game intelligence, strong running and creativity have been behind a high proportion of the scores which carried the Reds to the title, not to mention heroic defensive interventions in every game.
12. PLUNKETT KANE (COALISLAND)
One of the most consistent and dedicated club footballers in the county, Kane was once again a driving force for the Fianna in 2015. A leadership figure with immense levels of energy, his workrate has been an important element of his side’s game plan for many seasons now. In keeping with the modern-day demands on the complete footballer, Kane combines defensive duties with his naturally offensive talents and delivered a string of high-quality performances, up to and including the SFC semi-final.
13. PADDY McNEICE (COALISLAND)
He was once again one of the most outstanding attackers in the championship, hitting 12 points in three games. It was a virtuoso display from the former Tyrone player that shocked Clonoe in the opening round, when he scored six superb points from play. McNeice has become an even greater asset to his club since his retirement from inter-county competition, bringing a greater level of consistency to his game.
14. LEE BRENNAN (TRILLICK)
One of the most exciting attacking talents to burst upon the scene for some time, Brennan has had a season to savour. Still a teenager, he finished top scorer in the championship, 19 points ahead of his nearest rival, and scored the only goal of the O’Neill Cup final. An All-Ireland U21 winner and a member of the Tyrone senior squad, this prodigious talent has a huge future ahead of him.
15. MARK BRADLEY (KILLYCLOGHER)
Despite being hampered by injury this season, Bradley has led the Killyclogher attack with authority, his electrifying pace and accuracy off either boot representing potent weapons. After winning an All-Ireland U21 medal, he quickly established himself as a regular on the county senior team and his exceptional talents have been equally valuable at club level. He finished and created some vital scores as St Mary’s reached their first championship final in 12 years, proving himself a team player as well as an exciting individual talent.
